Why Professional Image Matters

Professional Image at Trinity Health Michigan is a key factor in embodying and living our values. Click on the menu below to read more about the important aspects of professional image.

Facility Appearance

Acceptable

  • We are dedicated to creating an environment for our patients, families and team members that reflects a commitment to quality, safety, professionalism and a welcoming environment.  All colleagues have a responsibility to participate in meeting these standards.
  • Reception Areas: Will be kept organized and clean throughout the day by all colleagues. Patient information displays will be organized and refilled as needed. Reading materials will be current (within 2 months) and free from tattered pages. Pharmaceutical advertising materials or literature are not allowed in the reception areas.
  • Personal Work Areas: Work areas need to be clean, organized and free from clutter. Personal items will be kept to a minimum and outside of the patient’s view.
  • Signage/Communications: Will be consistent with organizational guidelines and standards. HIPAA/regulatory standards will be posted in the reception area for patient information. Scotch tape is not acceptable to use when posting communications. All public signs must be approved by the Marketing Department.
  • Hallways/Exam Rooms/Lab Areas: Will be organized and free from clutter. Patient education materials will be presented in a neat and orderly manner. Communications will be posted on bulletin boards and will not be taped to walls or doors.
  • Holiday Decorations: will occur in predetermined areas as approved by the hospital.

Not Acceptable

  • Individual departmental or personal holiday decorating.
  • Personal fans, music (radios, Ipods, CDs in Computers) are not permitted in patient areas.

Professional Image Philosophy

We are committed to a culture that surrounds the patient in a positive experience. That experience is dependent on every colleague — from the most immediate caregiver to the colleague who may encounter a patient in passing — delivering our unique, inclusive approach to care through a series of experiences that inspire the relationship of trusted health partner for life.

To do this, each of us as health care professionals must reflect this in our dress, our body language and our demeanor — in every aspect of our presentation. Your appearance is a reflection of your expertise and pride in your role.

The influence of our everyday appearance cannot be denied. Our patients look to each of us as a statement of our culture and our brand. Their perceptions of our professional competency and quality of health care are greatly impacted by the way we present ourselves.

The professional image standards are intended to promote professionalism, enhance patient relations and achieve consistency in colleague image expectations for our organization.

Day in and day out, your appearance will remind our patients that they can rely on you for your professionalism and commitment to providing personalized care out of respect for each individual as a person, not just a patient.

Translating Our Brand

We are excited about the opportunity to create an intentional link between our commitment to an exceptional care experience and a visual appearance that will have utility for colleagues and communicate the professionalism, competency and desire to serve the needs of patients and visitors that has become the hallmark of our organization.

We have intentionally chosen an appearance that is:

  • Classic and Stylish, Never Casual or Trendy
  • Neat, Clean and Crisp
  • Invitingly Approachable
  • Competent
  • Confident

Enhancing Patient Experience

Professional Image:

  • Enables the relationship of trusted health partner
  • Respects the patient and visitors need to identify their resources upon entering our campus
  • Makes a silent statement that we are capable of handling any question or needs
  • Is more than a change in physical appearance . . . it is change in culture

Enhancing Colleague Experience

Our professional image policies are intentionally designed to support each colleague’s needs
and ability to serve our customers.

Our image is designed to be:

  • Comfortable
  • Consistent
  • Professional
  • Functional
  • Versatile
  • Inspiring of Self-Confidence

Levels of Patient Interaction

Professional Image is essential for everyone. However, the closer colleagues are to the patient/customer, the more critical professional image is to reinforcing our brand.

Accountability

Each person who has contact with patients, customers, providers, clients, visitors, volunteers, donors, guests, physicians or other customers has a personal accountability for his/her professional image and “intentionally living our brand.”

It is an expectation of employment that colleagues will consistently commit to the guidelines in this policy, understanding this is part of our culture and the way we do business. It is also an expectation of management that at any time any member of this team is not adhering to the standards, there will be a conversation and expectations established for commitment to the standards without exception. In that conversation, the manager will explain and reinforce the purpose of the standard and its impact on the patients.